'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Intercontinental title is one of the most prestigious titles in WWE history. The title was introduced in 1979 and the inaugural titleholder was Pat Patterson.
The championship has been held by dozens of Hall of Famers like Edge, Bret Hart, Ultimate Warrior, Shawn Michaels and British Bulldog. The longest reigning champion ever was The Honky Tonk Man, who held the coveted title for 453 days, and Chris Jericho has the most reigns with 9 championship reigns.
Although, it is a mid-card title on the Raw brand, the title has regained its lost prestige and has subsequently cemented itself as the third most prestigious title in history, after the Universal title and WWE title.
The current champion is Seth Rollins, who won the title from Dolph Ziggler at SummerSlam. Rollins is in his second reign as Intercontinental champ and his reigns have elevated the championship's prestige. It would be interesting to see who will dethrone Rollins and ascend the throne as Intercontinental champion.
Read further to find out!
#1 Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler's alliance has been a monumental success.The duo managed to suppress the likes of Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns over the summer before Dean Ambrose made his return. The talented team won the Raw tag team championships last week, but I don't see them having a long title reign as WWE sees potential in McIntyre as a singles star.
Seth Rollins is expected to retain his title against Dolph Ziggler in a rematch from SummerSlam. I expect Drew McIntyre to target Seth Rollins after Ziggler fails to regain the title from Rollins. From there on, I am predicting that McIntyre will defeat Rollins and become the Intercontinental champion after Rollins is betrayed by his buddy, Dean Ambrose.
#2 Bobby Lashley
Bobby Lashley's return to the WWE has been a catastrophe. The hype surrounding his return died out soon after his return. His feud with Sami Zayn was flat-out abhorrent and abysmal. His loss to Roman Reigns in a number one contender's match further damaged his credibility and now he is involved in comedy segments with the likes of Elias and Jinder Mahal.
Lashley needs a championship run desperately to reinvigorate his career and revitalize his stale character. Lashley is one of the rare men on the roster who could match Drew McIntyre's freakish power and athleticism. Lashley would be the perfect candidate to dethrone Drew McIntyre.
#3 Finn Balor
Finn Balor is treading water right now on Raw. He has been embroiled in a back and forth feud with Baron Corbin which has done neither of the two any favors. Balor has constantly lost big matches and it looks as if WWE officials don't have much faith in him. However, Balor still hasn't gone after a mid-card title and that could be the best thing for him on Raw.
Balor could be a great Intercontinental champion and his run could add more prestige to the historic title. Balor's feud with Lashley could be an interesting dynamic as WWE is great at executing a David Vs Goliath-esque story. A feud between these two titans could be a a catalyst for a heel turn for any of these two, which would add relevance to their character.
